Trough feeder

Abstract

Apparatus for distributing feed to caged poultry and the like is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an elongated trough for receiving feed, and an open-topped tube conveyor disposed within the trough. A clip is provided for securing the tube conveyor in and to the trough. A tube shield extends from a trough wall down over the conveyor tube. A baffle extends downwardly from the tube shield over each feed-dispensing tube aperture to prevent observation of feed particle dispensing motion by the receiving poultry.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
       1. Apparatus for distributing feed to poultry and the like comprising the combination of trough for receiving feed and for presenting the received feed to the poultry, a conveyor tube, means for urging feed along the conveyor tube, and securing clip means for securing the tube in fixed relation to the trough and extending at least partly around the conveyor tube, pin means on said securing clip means, and a plurality of pin-receiving recesses defined in and on said tube to permit said tube to be connected to said securing clip means in any one of a plurality of angular positions, and tube shield means extending over the conveyor tube. 
     
     
       2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said shield has a greater dimension, measured axially along the direction of the tube axis, than the covered aperture. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said conveyor tube comprises a plurality of communicating tube sections extending from a conveyor feed supply end to an opposite conveyor end, each tube section defining at least one tube aperture, and wherein the conveyor tube sections are positioned so as to locate the tube holes in a stepped helical array. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tube shield means at least partly covers said tube at a tube feed drop-out aperture. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus for distributing feed to poultry and the like comprising the combination of a trough for receiving feed and for presenting the received feed to the poultry, a conveyor tube, means for urging feed along the conveyor tube, securing clip means for securing the tube in fixed relation to the trough and pin and recess interconnector means between the securing clip means and conveyor tube to permit said tube to be connected to said securing clip means in any one of a plurality of angular positions, and tube shield means extending over the conveyor tube. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tube shield means at least partly covers said tube at a tube feed drop-out aperture.